THE North-East is in the running to host a world summit for senior cultural leaders.
The Arts Council England North East is behind the high-profile attempt to bring the World Summit on Arts and Culture to Newcastle and Gateshead in 2006.
Officials from Australia and Finland will arrive later this month to tour Tyneside, which is on the shortlist for selection, before making a decision.
Andrew Dixon, the executive director of the Arts Council in the region, said: "I am confident that Newcastle Gateshead will make an excellent base for the event.
"Securing the World Culture Summit would enable us to share the story of 20 years of cultural regeneration in the North-East and to learn from other projects around the world."
The host nation will be invited to hold festivals and cultural events based around the summit. Speaking from Australia before her visit, Sarah Gardner, of the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies, said: "Our board are excited by the Newcastle Gateshead proposals and have asked that we seriously explore the potential for a major summit in England in 2006.
"We will want to be sure that the region has the infrastructure in place to host the event."
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